I still say Xillia 2 is coming later this year. It's not weird to think they would have done the localization for it at the same time, especially since so many of the characters are the same and would have the same voice actors.

After carefully weighing my options, I've decided to pick this up in spite of not being a Tales of Fan since the most modern Tales of game I have hands on experience with is Symphonia which came out nearly a decade ago (though the most recent Tales of release I've played was that shitty GBA port of Phantasia).

Either way its a great excuse to dive back in and see how the gameplay has evolved in the last decade, and the game having an actual female lead for once is just icing on the CE's figurine (admittedly, the real reason why I am getting this; and yet, somehow, I have a feeling that this will end in disappointment and tedium, but then again, what JRPG doesn't?).

After carefully weighing my options, I've decided to pick this up in spite of not being a Tales of Fan since the most modern Tales of game I have hands on experience with is Symphonia which came out nearly a decade ago (though the most recent Tales of release I've played was that shitty GBA port of Phantasia).

Either way its a great excuse to dive back in and see how the gameplay has evolved in the last decade, and the game having an actual female lead for once is just icing on the CE's figurine (admittedly, the real reason why I am getting this; and yet, somehow, I have a feeling that this will end in disappointment and tedium, but then again, what JRPG doesn't?).

Story-wise, I hear it's actually quite decent (aside from a slightly rushed third act...but it has nothing on the weirdness that was Vesperia's third act). But I humbly ask you to look through the last few pages for our Tales of Graces talk -- if you want JRPG with *awesome* battle system then look no further.

I have a feeling that this will end in disappointment and tedium, but then again, what JRPG doesn't?).

I personally am a tales fan because some tales entries have proven an exception to that rule for me. Graces F being one of them.... truth be told, twas a barrel o' monkeys for me right to end. I clocked triple digit play-time and not once thought much about anything else on my shelf I wanted to get to. When I finished the game I went right into post game content without even considering a break.

Part of the tales magic to me is the uncanny ability ( without an uber-compelling narrative or cast IMO) to "stay well" if you will. As in, the titles rarely get stale to me mid way through. Even despite the numerous hours I clock, I still percieve them as short (oddly enough).

In contrast however, I must agree with your statement. Even some of my favorite games inherently contain segments or stretches that are a test of will and patience.

And don't feel bad Aeolus.... they got me for 2 of the CE's just based on that figure! LoL

Now that there is a for sure release date for Xillia, my mind has fallen into Tales Of mode. I have other games I can very well play and enjoy, but I only want to play Tales games until August 6th in preparation for Tales of Xillia. This happened last year with Graces F! I played and beat all of the Tales Of games I never got around to before. Vesperia, Abyss and Eternia. This time around I don't have as many that I haven't beaten, so I'm going SUPER old school and fired up Tales of Destiny. I never beat it before, and even though I would pay almost any amount of money to be able to play one of the PS2 remakes in english, I'm having a good time with it.

Maybe I'll jump into Legendia after this again......maybe. I really did NOT enjoy that game. Haha!

Now that there is a for sure release date for Xillia, my mind has fallen into Tales Of mode. I have other games I can very well play and enjoy, but I only want to play Tales games until August 6th in preparation for Tales of Xillia. This happened last year with Graces F! I played and beat all of the Tales Of games I never got around to before. Vesperia, Abyss and Eternia. This time around I don't have as many that I haven't beaten, so I'm going SUPER old school and fired up Tales of Destiny. I never beat it before, and even though I would pay almost any amount of money to be able to play one of the PS2 remakes in english, I'm having a good time with it.

Maybe I'll jump into Legendia after this again......maybe. I really did NOT enjoy that game. Haha!

I give you credit, I usually get psyched like that myself (more post-release than pre-release: after I play one Tales game I get in the mood to play the rest)....but I never complete it.

I tried playing the GCN version of Symphonia, but alas I just couldn't get into it. I started with Vesperia, then Abyss, then Graces, so the battles in Symphonia (once you have a full party) just come across as way too much going on in too small a space.

I think Nintendo owns the rights to ToS' English localization. I could be wrong, but I'm almost positive that's why we didn't get the PS2 version to begin with. I want to believe, but I wouldn't hold my breath on this coming stateside.

Also, when are they going to add online play to the Tales series? All my Tales buddies live in different states.

Logged

Friends, waffles, work. Or waffles, friends, work. Doesn't matter, but work is third.

I think Nintendo owns the rights to ToS' English localization. I could be wrong, but I'm almost positive that's why we didn't get the PS2 version to begin with. I want to believe, but I wouldn't hold my breath on this coming stateside.

Also, when are they going to add online play to the Tales series? All my Tales buddies live in different states.

IIRC, like many "Tales rumors", the bit about the Nintendo localization isn't 100% true and it was outsourced to a third party with Nintendo still as main distributor....orsomethinglikethat, I dunno (it was Hometek doing the work, or something).

I don't think Baba would have told some Spanish press about it unless there was a good chance of it coming Stateside, and like I said before, it is the most popular Tales title worldwide. It would also tie in with the continuously reported "Tales-filled year" as well as the fact Vesperia PS3 was turned down, Tales PSN titles doesn't sound "like them" to announce, and Xill2 is...kind of a no-brainer. Word of a new Tales title has been floating around the last few weeks too.

I know it's still rumor (oh my me, look at me gab on <3)...but I don't know... it seems to "fit" don't it?